🦐 Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) – A Key Species in the Aquatic Ecosystem

🧬 Taxonomy

🔍 Morphological Features

The Whiteleg Shrimp, commonly known in aquaculture as Pacific White Shrimp, is medium to large-sized and exhibits the following characteristics:

• Body Color: Translucent white to greyish with bluish or greenish tinge on the tail.

• Size: Adults can grow up to 230 mm (9 inches) in length.

• Rostrum: Equipped with 7–10 dorsal and 2–4 ventral teeth.

• Carapace: Smooth and streamlined for rapid movement.

• Pereiopods (walking legs): White in appearance, giving it the name Whiteleg.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Whiteleg Shrimp is a marine and estuarine species, native to the eastern Pacific coast from Mexico to northern Peru. However, due to its high commercial value, it has been introduced globally for aquaculture.

🌊 Preferred Habitat:

• Warm tropical & subtropical waters (20–35°C)

• Salinity Range: 1–40 ppt

• Estuarine zones, brackish lagoons, and tidal creeks

🌿 Presence in the Sundarban Ecosystem

The Sundarban delta, the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, supports a rich diversity of crustaceans and estuarine life forms, including Litopenaeus vannamei. Although not native to the region, it is now farmed extensively in the brackish water aquaculture ponds around South 24 Parganas and adjoining areas.

⚠️ Ecological Note:

• Pros: High productivity, fast growth, and high tolerance to environmental variables.

• Cons: Risks of disease transmission to native species, and alteration of local aquatic biodiversity.

✨ Special Features

• ✅ Rapid Growth: Reaches marketable size (20–30g) within 90–120 days.

• ✅ High Survival Rate: Over 70% under optimal farming conditions.

• ✅ Disease Resistance: Better resilience than many native shrimp species.

• ✅ Efficient Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): Ranges from 1.2 to 1.5, ideal for commercial production.

• ✅ Night Feeding Behavior: Primarily nocturnal, avoids daylight predation.

🧪 Commercial Importance

• 🏆 One of the most farmed shrimp species worldwide.

• 💰 Key contributor to India’s shrimp export industry, especially from West Bengal and Odisha.

• 👨‍🌾 Preferred by aquaculture farmers due to profitability and adaptability.

📚 Footnote

• Learn more on Litopenaeus vannamei – Wikipedia 🌐

✅ Credit Note & Useful Resources

• Explore the authentic wilderness of Sundarban with our Sundarban private tour package 🌿 or indulge in a truly elite experience through a Sundarban luxury tour package 🛥️.

• Visit for more customized itineraries: Sundarban tourism 🐾

• Don’t miss the upcoming Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 🐟 – a celebration of Bengal’s iconic fish in the heart of the mangroves!